CHAPTEE V. 



THE RECONCILIATION. 



27. THUS do all lines of argument converge to the 

 same conclusion. The inference reached a priori, in the 

 last chapter, confirms the inferences which, in the two pre- 

 ceding chapters, were reached a posteriori. Those imbecili- 

 ties of the understanding that disclose themselves when we 

 try to answer the highest questions of objective science, 

 subjective science proves to be necessitated by the laws of 

 that understanding. We not only learn by the frustration 

 of all our efforts, that the reality underlying appearances is 

 totally and for ever inconceivable by us ; but we also learn 

 why, from the very nature of our intelligence, it must be so. 

 Finally we discover that this conclusion, which, in its un- 

 qualified form, seems opposed to the instinctive convictions 

 of mankind, falls into harmony with them when the miss- 

 ing qualification is supplied. Though the Absolute cannot 

 in any manner or degree be known, in the strict sense of 

 knowing, yet we find that its positive existence is a neces- 

 sary datum of consciousness; that so long as consciousness 

 continues, we cannot for an instant rid it of this datum ; and 

 that thus the belief which this datum constitutes, has a 

 higher warrant than any other whatever. 



Here then is that basis of agreement we set out to seek. 

 This conclusion which objective science illustrates, and sub- 

 jective science shows to be unavoidable, this conclusion 

 which, while it in the main expresses the doctrine of the 



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